Joint construction for sectional lead

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed herein a sectional lead for a pile driver apparatus. The lead is of skeletal truss construction having parallel corner members providing front guideways for the pile driver and rear guideways for slides carried by a boom and kicker at the back. Interfitting connector portions carried by adjacent sections are attached by recessed pins having releasable fastener means, the pins being recessed below the lever of front and rear guideway surfaces of the corner members.

United States Patent [1 1 MacKinnon et al.

JOINT CONSTRUCTION FOR SECTIONAL LEAD [75] Inventors: Alan G. MacKinnon,

Newcomerstown, Ohio; Robert M. Brode, deceased, late of Newcomerstown, Ohio by Joyce Wallis Brode, executrix [73] Assignee: The Foundation Equipment Corporation, Newcomerstown, Ohio 22 Filed: June 14, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 262,751

[52] US. Cl. 173/43, 173/86, 308/3 R [51] Int. Cl E02d 7/14 [58] Field of Search..... 173/86-89, 28, 43,151, 90; 308/3 R; 175/220 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,365,004 l/l968 Johansson 173/28 =E 70 i A 45 27 45'\w A 45 g2 26 A "IN/INWN 3,447,613 6/1969 Lisenby 1. 173/86 X Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser Attorney-J. H. Slough [57] ABSTRACT There is disclosed herein a sectional lead for a pile driver apparatus. The lead is of skeletal truss construction having parallel corner members providing front guideways for the pile driver and rear guideways for slides carried by a boom and kicker at the back. Interfitting connector portions carried by adjacent sections are attached by recessed pins having releasable fastener means, the pins being recessed below the lever of front and rear guideway surfaces of the corner members.

8 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PMENTEUUCT 30 I975 SHEET 30F 3 JOINT CONSTRUCTION'FOR SECTIONAL LEAD This invention relates to pile driving apparatus and particularly to a quickly attachable joint construction for a sectional lead.

It is well known to provide a pile driver lead of skeletal truss construction comprising detachable sections which said sections can be combined in different length combinations as desired. It is also known to provide a pile driver lead which is vertically adjustable with respect to a crane boom by means of slide attachments between the lead and the boom. Various means are used for detachably connecting the sections together end-to-end. For example, transverse joint plates may be welded to the ends of the sections and bolted or otherwise detachably connected to each other to construct the finished lead.

A common drawback in known lead constructions comprises a failure to provide uninterrupted guide tubes or rails at both the front and back of the lead. In constructions with which the present inventor is familiar wherein the rear guideways constitute parallel and laterally spaced elongated structural members of the sections, vertical sliding movement is limited to the distance provided by a single section because the means for joining the section projects into the path of a slide member carried by the boom or kicker, thus limiting movement of the lead. The assembly of sectional leads which have known connecting means is also cumbersome and time consuming.

The present invention is directed to a quickly attachable joint connection for joining ends of lead sections to each other which will provide uninterrupted guideways at both the front and back of a sectional pile driver lead. Basically, the invention comprises a lead joint having overlapping connecting portions retained together by a pin, the head of which is recessed below the outer surface of the guideway. Because sectional leads must be assembled at the work site while lying on the ground, ease and speed of assembly are matters of vital importance. The joint construction of the present invention affords means for rapidly and efficiently assembling the lead sections whereby they are retained together by a connector of great strength which can be joined by a minimum of manipulation.

In view of the foregoing, it is a general object of this invention to provide an improved lead joint construction which will substantially increase the flexibility and the efficiency of pile driving apparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lead joint construction of the above type which is simple in construction and increases the speed and ease with which lead sections can be assembled.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a lead joint construction as set forth above which has superior strength and which is highly durable in use.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a lead joint construction having the above characteristics which provides smooth, uninterrupted guideways between the sections at both the front and back of the lead.

A still further object is to provide an improved sectional lead which combines ease of assembly with great strength and affords continuous guideway surfaces between the lead section.

Other objects of the invention and the invention itself will be readily understood from the following description of one embodiment thereof as disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the front portion ofa portable crane having pile driver apparatus carried thereby;

FIG. 1a is a fragmentary detail of a modified form of lead for use with the pile driver apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged structural detail of the lead taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of an intermediate section of the lead of FIG. 1 somewhat enlarged with respect to FIG. 1 and partially broken away;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the intermediate section of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 drawn to the scale of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section through the lead joint of this invention as herein illustrated, the same being substantially enlarged with respect to the previous draw mgs;

FIG. 7 is a section taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the upper connector part of the lead joint as shown in FIG. 6, the same being identical in appearance with a similar view looking upwardly from the bottom of the lower connector part of said lead joint;

FIG. 9 is a side plan view of the upper connector part of the lead joint as shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the upper connector part shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the lower connector part of the lead joint construction of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 12 is a side elevation of the lower connector part shown in FIG. 11.

Referring now to the drawings in all of which like parts are designated by like reference numerals, and particularly to FIG. 1, a portable crane 20 is shown, said crane comprising a tractor portion 21 surmounted by a turntable 22 by means of which a control cab 23 is pivotable about a vertical axis. A forwardly and upwardly projecting, skeletal boom 24 is pivoted to the cab at the pivot 25 and carries a forwardly projecting, longitudinally adjustable kicker 26. The outer end of the boom 24 carries a slide member 27 mounted thereto by means ofa universaljoint 28. The outer end of the kicker 26 carries a slide member 29 connected thereto by means of a universal joint 30. The slide members 27 and 29 engage parallel, laterally spaced rear corner frame members 34 disposed at the back of a skeletal type sectional lead generally indicated at 35. The front ofthe lead 35 is defined by parallel, laterally spaced, elongated front corner frame members 36 adapted to receive slide members 37. Said slide members carry a hammer 38 adapted for vertical movement along the frame members 36 for driving a pile into the earth in a known manner.

The sectional lead 35 in the form herein illustrated, comprises detachable sections; a tapered upper section 40, intermediate sections 41 and 42, and a lower foot yoke section 50. The intermediate sections 41 and 42, when used with a tapered upper section, determine the overall length of the lead and may optionally be provided in different lengths and numbers. The upper section 40 is a specialized section provided with a detachable head block 43 and a pulley 44 for guiding a hammer rope 45 connected to the upper end of the hammer tripping device 47 for raising said hammer. Said hammer rope projects through the head block 43 around the pulley 44 and under a second pulley 46 carried by the slide member 27. The hammer rope 45 ultimately extends to winch means (not shown) adjacent to the control cab 23 for lifting and dropping of the hammer 38 and starting the hammer in a well-known manner.

The specialized upper section 40 may be eliminated if desired by providing the uppermost intermediate section with a detachable head block 43 having pulleys 44' for engaging the hammer rope 45 as shown in FIG. 1a.

The lowermost detachable foot yoke section 50 is adapted to position the lower end of the lead with respect to the pile to be driven. The back of the foot section 50 mounts a pulley 51 which engages a lead rope 52. Said lead rope has one end secured at a bracket 57 carried by the upper end of the boom 24 and extends downwardly through adjustable cable grips 58 attached to slide member 29 from which said rope passes around the pulley 51 and upwardly to a pulley 54 carried by the upper end of the boom 24. From that point, the lead rope 52 extends back to the control cab 23 in a wellknown manner. It will be readily appreciated that winding in the lead rope 52 at the control cab 23 will cause the sectional lead 35 to be raised whereas paying out said line will cause said lead to be lowered. It will be further appreciated that in the raising and lowering of said lead, the rear corner frame members 34 at the back of the lead will slide with respect to the slide members 27 and 29.

FIGS. 2-5 show the general manner in which the lead 35 is constructed, the disclosure being directed towards the intermediate lead section 41. The intermediate section 42 is constructed in the same manner as the section 41, the section 42 being merely somewhat shorter as herein illustrated. It will also be understood that the same general type of construction applies to the tapered upper section 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the embodiment of the invention as herein described and illustrated, the elongated frame members 36 are of metallic tubular construction which are shown to be rectangular in section but which need not be limited to that cross-sectional shape. It will be understood that the elongated frame members 34 constituting the rear main structural members and guideways are also of the same cross-sectional form.

The laterally spaced front frame members 36 are disposed closer together than the rear frame members 34, the pair of rear frame members being connected to the from frame members by forwardly converging diagonal braces 60 and horizontal ladder rungs 64. Transverse horizontal braces 61 and diagonal braces 65 connect the pair of frame members 34 to each other and transverse horizontal braces 62 and diagonal braces 66 similarly connect the front frame members 36. Horizontal diagonal braces 63 are criss-crossed between a rear frame member 34 on one side and a front frame member 36 on the opposite side at points where there are four outside diagonals converging on one corner member, the above being more familiarly known as a tetra- FIGS. 6-12 illustrate details of a lead joint generally indicated at 70 (FIG. 6) which is provided at all four corners of the lead 35 at the levels where two sections meet. Each lead joint 70 comprises a first connector part 71 of generally rectangular cross section, but need not be limited to that cross sectional shape, substantially equal to the cross-sectional shape of a frame member 34 or 36. The part 71 has a base 72 from which a pair of spaced, parallel arms 73 project in the direction away from the lead section to which it is mounted. A generally rectangular shank portion 74 projects in the opposite direction from the base 72, said shank being of such dimension as to fit snugly within the open end of the associated frame member 34 or 36. The shank 74 is welded or otherwise suitably secured rigidly within the associated frame member.

An elongated frame member 34 or 36 of the next adjacent lead section is provided with a second connector part 75 comprising a base 76 and an outwardly projecting tongue 77 adapted to slidably fit between the arms 73 of the first connector part 71. The distal ends of the arms 73 are shaped to provide outwardly diverging surface portions 73a at the inner end edges thereof, and the distal end of the tongue 77 is shaped to provide converging surface portions 77a at the outer end edges thereof to facilitate the assembly of the two parts. These converging surface portions may be in the form of radii as shown or may be otherwise either rounded or beveled. The second connector part 75 also has a shank 78 of the same form as the shank 74 adapted to be welded or otherwise suitably secured into the end of its associated frame member.

The lead joint connector parts 71 and 75 are retained in their assembled relationship by means of a large pin 80 having a slightly enlarged head 81 at one end and a tapered portion 82 at the opposite end to facilitate manipulation of the pin. Each pin 80 projects through aligned apertures 73b and 730 of the arms 73 and an aperture 77b of a blade 77, the enlarged head 81 being seated within a recess 79 in the outer side of one of the arms 73 whereby said head is disposed below the surface of said outer side. An opposite end portion of the pin 80 projects outwardly beyond the opposite arm 73, the outwardly projecting portion having a circumferentially oriented groove 83 in which is seated a hairpin cotter 84 for holding the pin in place.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, an intermediate section 41 is provided with connector parts 71 at one end thereof and connector parts 75 at. the opposite end thereof whereby a plurality of said intermediate sections can be connected together if desired. As herein illustrated, the connector parts 71 are located at the bottom of the intermediate section and the connector parts 75 arelocated at the top,.but this arrangement could be reversed. It will further be noted that the arms 73 and tongues 77 are adapted to be disposed parallel with the fore-and-aft direction of the crane 20 and lead 35 with the pins 80 projecting inwardly of the outer side surfaces of the front tubular frame members 36 and the rear tubular frame members 34. The upper lead section hedral construction. Thus, a rigid skeletal type frame is 40 carries downwardly projecting first connector parts 71 adapted to join upwardly projecting second connector parts of the intermediate section 41, said intermediate section 41 carrying downwardly projecting first connector parts 71 joined to upwardly projecting second connector parts 75 of intermediate section 42, and the foot yoke section 50 carrying upwardly projecting second connector parts 75 adapted to engage downwardly projecting first connector parts 71 of said intermediate section 42. Thus, throughout the entire length of the sectional lead, both the front and rear surfaces are smooth, uninterrupted guideways whereby the slide members 27, 29, 37, and 47 can all slide sub stantially the full length of the lead. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the lower slide member 29 is actually disposed over two of the joints 70. This provides for virtually unlimited vertical adjustment of the lead at any time.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the sectional lead of this invention is particularly adapted for rapid assembly on the ground, even under adverse conditions. The bevels or radii on the ends of the tongues 77 in cooperation with the bevels or radii on the arms 73 greatly facilitate the aligning and insertion of the tongues between the arms. The recessed pins 80, retained by hairpin cotters, afford quick attachment means for rapidly assembling and disassembling the sections while maintaining uninterrupted guideway surfaces at the front and back of the corner frame members at the juncture between the sections.

It will be understood that many changes in the details of the invention as herein described and illustrated may be made without, however,-departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed:

1. A detachable joint construction for joining elongated corner frame members of the sections of a sectional lead in end-to-end relationship, said frame member of each said section having longitudinal guideway surfaces; at first connector part secured to one frame member of a section; a second connector part secured to another frame member of another section; said connector parts having extensions adapted to overlap in the longitudinal direction; said overlapping extensions having an outer cross-sectional shape providing a continuation of said guideway surfaces; said overlapping extensions having coaxial apertures therethrough; the outer end of one of said apertures opening at one of said guideway surfaces and having recess means adjacent to said outer end; a removable pin projecting through said aligned apertures and connecting said parts; said pin having a head portion seated within said recess below said one guideway surface; a portion of said pin projecting outwardly beyond said connector parts in the opposite direction; means releasably engaging said portion of said pin for retaining said pin within said apertures.

2. A detachable joint construction as set forth in claim 1: said extensions comprising a pair of laterallying converging surface portions at the outer end edges thereof whereby said tongue is easily inserted between said arms.

4. A detachable joint construction as set forth in claim 2: said portion of said pin projecting outwardly beyond said connector parts having circumferentially oriented groove means therein; said means releasably engaging said portion of said pin comprising a hairpin cotter engaging said groove means.

5. A detachable joint construction for joining a pair of elongated frame guide members of like cross section in end-to-end relation comprising a first connector part secured to one frame member and having spaced parallel arms extending longitudinally therefrom; a second connector part secured to the other frame member and having a longitudinally extending tongue slidably fitted between said arms; said arms and said tongue having an outer cross-sectional shape substantially identical with said frame members; said arms and tongue having apertures therethrough in coaxial alignment; the outer end of the aperture in one of said arms being countersunk to provide an annular recess coaxial therewith; a removable pin projecting through said aligned apertures and connecting said parts; said pin having an enlarged head, said head being seated within said recess below the outer surface of said one arm whereby to provide a smooth guide surface between said frame members; a portion of said pin projecting outwardly beyond the other said arm; means releasably engaging said portion of said pin for retaining said pin within said apertures.

6. A detachable joint construction as set forth in claim 5: the distal ends of said parallel arms having bevels at the inner end edges thereof; the distal end of said tongue having bevels at the outer end edges thereof whereby said tongue is easily inserted between said arms; said portion of said pin projecting outwardly beyond said other arm having circumferentially oriented groove means therein; said means releasably engaging said portion of said pin comprising a hairpin cotter engaging said groove means.

' 7. A quickly attachable sectional pile driver lead for mounting on a portable crane and adapted to be slidably movable with respect to the ends of a boom and kicker, said lead comprising a plurality of lead sections; each said section comprising a pair of parallel front corner frame members and a pair of parallel back corner frame members; said corner frame members of each section being connected to each other by brace means to form a skeletal'lead; said frame members having longitudinal guideway surfaces; detachable joint means for joining corner frame members of different sections in end-to-end relation, each joint means comprising a first connector part secured to the frame member of one section and having spaced parallel arms extending longitudinally therefrom; a second connector part secured to the aligned frame member of another section and having a longitudinally extending tongue slidably fitted between said arms; said arms and said tongue of each joint means having an outer crosssectional shape substantially identical with said frame members; said arms and tongue having aligned apertures therethrough; the outer end of the aperture in one of said arms being countersunk to provide an annular recess coaxial therewith; a removable pin projecting through said aligned apertures and connecting said parts; said pin having an enlarged head seated within said recess below the outer surface of said one arm whereby to provide a smooth guide surface between said aligned frame members; a portion of said pin projecting outwardly beyond the other said arm of that joint means; means releasably engaging said portion of said pin for retaining said pin within said apertures.

kicker of the portable crane; said slide members being slidable longitudinally of said corner frame members across said joint means between lead sections. 

1. A detachable joint construction for joining elongated corner frame members of the sections of a sectional lead in end-to-end relationship, said frame member of each said section having longitudinal guideway surfaces; a first connector part secured to one frame member of a section; a second connector part secured to another frame member of another section; said connector parts having extensions adapted to overlap in the longitudinal direction; said overlapping extensions having an outer crosssectional shape providing a continuation of said guideway surfaces; said overlapping extensions having coaxial apertures therethrough; the outer end of one of said apertures opening at one of said guideway surfaces and having recess means adjacent to said outer end; a removable pin projecting through said aligned apertures and connecting said parts; said pin having a head portion seated within said recess below said one guideway surface; a portion of said pin projecting outwardly beyond said connector parts in the opposite direction; means releasably engaging said portion of said pin for retaining said pin within said apertures.
 2. A detachable joint construction as set forth in claim 1: said extensions comprising a pair of laterally spaced, parallel arms projecting longitudinally from said first connector part and a longitudinally extending tongue projecting from said second connector part; said tongue being removably inserted between said arms; one of said arms having a side surface comprising a portion of said one guideway surface, said one aperture opening at said guideway surface portion.
 3. A detachable joint construction as set forth in claim 2: the distal ends of said pair of spaced arms having outwardly diverging surface portions at the inner end edges thereof and the distal end of said tongue having converging surface portions at the outer end edges thereof whereby said tongue is easily inserted between said arms.
 4. A detachable joint construction as set forth in claim 2: said portion of said pin projecting outwardly beyond said connector parts having circumferentially oriented groove means therein; said means releasably engaging said portion of said pin comprising a hairpin cotter engaging said groove means.
 5. A detachable joint construction for joining a pair of elongated frame guide members of like cross section in end-to-end relation comprising a first connector part secured to one frame member and having spaced parallel arms extending longitudinally therefrom; a second connector part secured to the other frame member and having a longitudinally extending tongue slidably fitted between said arms; said arms and said tongue having an outer cross-sectional shape substantially identical with said frame members; said arms and tongue having apertures therethrough in coaxial alignment; the outer end of the aperture in one of said arms being countersunk to provide an annular recess coaxial therewith; a removable pin projecting through said aligned apertures and connecting said parts; said pin having an enlarged head, said head being seated within said recess below the outer surface of said one arm whereby to provide a smooth guide surface between said frame members; a portion of said pin projecting outwardly beyond the other said arm; means releasably engaging said portion of said pin for retaining said pin within said apertures.
 6. A detachable joint construction as set forth in claim 5: the distal ends of said parallel arms having bevels at the inner end edges thereof; the distal end of said tongue having bevels at the outer end edges thereof whereby said tongue is easily inserted between said arms; said portion of said pin projecting outwardly beyond said other arm having circumferentially oriented groove means therein; said means releasably engaging said portion of said pin comprising a hairpin cotter engaging said groove means.
 7. A quickly attachable sectional pile driver lead for mounting on a portable crane and adapted to be slidably movable with respect to the ends of a boom and kicker, said lead comprising a plurality of lead sections; each said section comprising a pair of parallel front corner frame members and a pair of parallel back corner frame members; said corner frame members of each section being connected to each other by brace means to form a skeletal lead; said frame members having longitudinal guideway surfaces; detachable joint means for joining corner frame members of different sections in end-to-end relation, each joint means comprising a first connector part secured to the frame member of one section and having spaced parallel arms extending longitudinally therefrom; a second connector part secured to the aligned frame member of another section and having a longitudinally extending tongue slidably fitted between said arms; said arms and said tongue of each joint means having an outer cross-sectional shape substantially identical with said frame members; said arms and tongue having aligned apertures therethrough; the outer end of the aperture in one of said arms being countersunk to provide an annular recess coaxial therewith; a removable pin projecting through said aligned apertures and connecting said parts; said pin having an enlarged head seated within said recess below the outer surface of said one arm whereby to provide a smooth guide surface between said aligned frame members; a portion of said pin projecting outwardly beyond the other said arm of that joint means; means releasably engaging said portion of said pin for retaining said pin within said apertures.
 8. A sectional pile driver lead as set forth in claim 7: slide members engaging said pair of parallel front corner frame members for supporting a pile driver hammer; slide members engaging said pair of parallel back corner frame members for attachment of a boom and kicker of the portable crane; said slide members being slidable longitudinally of said corner frame members across said joint means between lead sections. 